Sodium thiosulfate (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 4, 2022.

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Cyanide Antidote

Uses for sodium thiosulfate

Sodium thiosulfate may be used to lessen some of the side effects of cisplatin (a cancer medicine). It is also used with another medicine in the emergency treatment of cyanide poisoning.

Sodium thiosulfate is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before using sodium thiosulfate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sodium thiosulfate, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sodium thiosulfate or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Although there is no specific information comparing use of sodium thiosulfate in children with use in other age groups, sodium thiosulfate is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of sodium thiosulfate in the elderly with use in other age groups, sodium thiosulfate is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of sodium thiosulfate. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Edema (swelling of feet or lower legs) or
• Heart disease or
• High blood pressure (hypertension) or
• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease or
• Toxemia of pregnancy—Sodium thiosulfate may cause the body to retain (keep) water, which may make these conditions worse

Proper use of sodium thiosulfate

Dosing

The dose of sodium thiosulfate will be ...